Tajikistan tours & travel

Whatever the yardstick – geographic, linguistic, cultural, historical, economic – Tajikistan’s a country that revels in the obscure.

Most locals speak Tajik, a modern Persian dialect in a region overwhelmingly Turkic; the landscape is absurdly altitudinous, its borders a result of arbitrary Soviet demarcations; the economy is propped up by overseas migrant remittances and illicit drug trafficking; and archaeological attractions run the gauntlet of Buddhist stupas, Silk Road bazaars and Zoroastrian ruins... What’s not to intrigue? Culturally captivating and naturally arresting, Tajikistan – arguably the Stans’ least developed land – is as enigmatic as countries come.

Tajikistan tour reviews

Peter Burbridge

This awesome trip took in stunning, truly stunning, scenery across the mountains and in the Wakhan valley. Sasha (driver) and Jam (guide) were both really good and looked after us well. The accommodation really is very basic but allows an exceptional itinerary. Tajik loos are atrocious. I hope you like lamb. I loved this trip and dream of the Panj Valley on the Afghan border.

Stuart Forster

If remote places fascinate you, check this tour out. Bureaucracy: Kyrgyzstan - no visa; Tajikistan - on line within 24 hours in my case. Bishkek and Dushanbe are modernising capital cities with new public buildings and quite good restaurants. Osh is a pleasant market town. The Pamirs are starkly desolate. The Panj River marking the border of Tajikistan with Afghanistan varies from broad and braided to rapids in steep narrow gorges flanked by high mountains. The road is an adventure in itself at times. We stayed in guesthouses run by the hospitable people making a living in this extreme region. Our Tajik guide, Jamshed helped us interact with local people and learn about their lives. There is some history with the odd fort and temple too. The conditions are sometimes challenging (See the Trip Notes) but I pleased to have done this journey.

Review submitted 23 Jul 2017

Tajikistan trip reviews

Our Tajikistan trips score an average of 3.5 out of 5
based on 4 reviews in the last year.

Tajikistan travel highlights

Karakul Lake, Tajikistan

Tajikistan holiday information

At a glance

At a glance

Capital city:

Dushanbe

Population:

7,900,000

Language:

Tajik, Russian

Time zone:

Electricity:

Type C (European 2-pin)

Dialing code:

Best time to visit Tajikistan

Best time to visit Tajikistan

With more than fifty per cent of the country sitting at over 3,000 metres above sea level, Tajikistan’s weather wavers between extremes. Pay a visit in winter (November–February) and you’ll be greeted by daytime temperatures that can dip below freezing, particularly along the Pamir Highway. Rock up during summer (June–September) and temperatures will likely climb to over 40°C (and be accompanied by dust storms) – though this is the best time for a trip into the mountains. Otherwise spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November) is the most pleasant times to travel. Light rains may still fall on occasion, but the days are sunny and warm, and the skies clear.

Geography and environment

Geography and environment

While evidence of human habitation has been found in the region dating back as far as 4,000 BC, Tajikistan as we now know it only came into formation with the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. Prior to this, the region – defined by extreme isolation and testing climes – principally existed as one sprawling swathe of independent tribal lands and villages, regularly getting overrun and ruled by a series of empires, Achaemenid, Kushan, Arab, Tibetan and Mongolian, until Imperial Russia moved in.

With the 1917 overthrow of Tsarist autocracy, a Central Asian independence movement called the basmachi sought to make the most of the disarray by waging war against the Bolsheviks to no avail – in 1924 the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was created as a part of Uzbekistan and the collectivisation of agriculture and implementation of other communist policies soon followed. The Tajiks suffered greatly under Soviet rule in the following decades, being targeted in purges, conscripted into the Soviet Army in World War II and lagging behind the other Soviet Republics in terms of industry and education. So when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, it looked like happy days were afoot.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. Split by various clan loyalties into numerous fighting factions, the country very soon plunged into civil war. By the time Emomalii Rahmon came to power in 1994, the number killed was estimated at over 100,000 and refugees numbered around 1.2 million. While his prime ministership and his party’s handling of democratic elections have not been without criticism, Rahmon has retained power through two successive elections.

Top 5 Traditional Tajikistani Fashions

Top 5 Traditional Tajikistani Fashions

Top 5 Traditional Tajikistani Fashions

1. Traditional Dress

Having been segregated from the rest of Tajik society by bad weather and roads for much of their history, the people of the Pamir Mountains have developed a certain style of dress that can still be seen in the region. Among Pamiri women, this amounts to a flowing kaftan-like costume, usually white and narrowing at the waste, with sleeves closely fitted to the wrist. A red skullcap, called a toki, typically completes the ensemble.

2. Russian Dress

When the Soviets came to town, elements of Russian fashion were gradually adopted and incorporated into Tajikistani culture. Western-style dress is now fairly common among the younger generations in urban areas, but you’re bound to spot plenty of women garbed in colourful loose-fitting dresses highly decorated and elaborately embroidered. A kerchief or shawl usually goes on the head.

3. The Monobrow

Get ready, you might need to read this one again: monobrows are in. Yep, that’s right: monobrows. And not just among the men either. An emblem of prestige and beauty, they’re upheld as a sign of feminine purity, and women not fortunate enough to sprout one naturally will sometimes resort to daubing the space between their eyes with a local herb called usma. So don’t stress if you forget to pack the tweezers.

4. The Toki

Tajik men and women alike are big fans of the toki: a type of cap that varies in design between genders and regions. Among northern Tajiks, the crown of the cap can be flat, boxed or conical, whereas that of mountain dwellers and plainsmen more closely resembles a skullcap.

5. The Calf Cotton

Head into the Pamir Mountains and you’ll probably spot a few insanely fit-looking old dudes with long strips of cotton wound around their calves. This isn’t so much a fashion statement as a practical measure: tightly bound calves adds extra muscle support when traipsing up and down mountains. Give them a nod of respect. They’ve probably ambled in this morning from that distant peak way over yonder.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

Tajikistan travel FAQs

All visitors to Tajikistan require a visa. You will need to obtain your visa & Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) permit online at the following link: https://www.evisa.tj/

Below is the information required for filling out the application form:

GBAO Permit - Yes

Purpose of visit type - Tourism

Purpose of visit - Tourism sightseeing or Tourism vacation

Group identifier - leave blank

Date of arrival - Day 5 of your trip

Address in Tajikistan - This will be supplied at time of booking

Upload your scanned, colour passport copy (no other documents are required) and submit the form for payment. You will then receive a link to download your e-visa. Please ensure you print a copy to bring with you on your trip.

Toilets in Tajikistan run the gamut of not-too-bad-at-all western-style toilets in plusher hotels and restaurants, very minimalist drop toilets everywhere else and ‘jeepers-creepers!’ in rural areas. Have emergency loo-paper with you wherever you go.

No, Tajikistan’s tap water is non-purified and untreated. Stick to bottled water or fill a reusable canteen with the filtered water that will be available at some hotels. Also steer clear of ice in drinks and only eat fruit that can be peeled or vegetables that have been well cooked.

ATMs – accepting Visa, Mastercard and Maestro – can be found in the major cities of Dushanbe, Penjikent, Khujand, Khorog, Isfara, Istaravshan and Qurghon-Teppa, plus a few smaller places besides. Some dispense US dollars, which (along with euros) are widely accepted. Try to carry with you small denominations, as small change for small purchases is in short supply.

Responsible Travel

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

Top responsible travel tips for Tajikistan

Be considerate of Tajik customs, traditions, religion and culture

Dress modestly and respectfully. Shoulders to knees should be covered and shoes removed when entering places of worship

For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water

Always dispose of litter thoughtfully, including cigarette butts

When bargaining at markets, stay calm, be reasonable and keep a smile on your face. It's meant to be fun!

Learn some local language and don't be afraid to use it - simple greetings will help break the ice

Shop for locally made products. Supporting local artisans helps keep traditional crafts alive and supports the local community

Refrain from supporting businesses that exploit or abuse endangered animals

Please ask and receive permission before taking photos of people, including children

When on community visits or homestays, refrain from giving gifts or money to locals.